The Return of Bonzi

The last time we (as a population) saw Bonzi Wells, it was 2006. The Kings snuck into the playoffs on the backs of Ron Artest, Bonzi and upstart 23-year-old Kevin Martin. As the #8 seed, they took a trip to the home of the reigning NBA champs, San Antonio. No one gave Sacramento a chance -- hell, Sacramento really had no chance.

But then something happened. Bonzi happened. In Game 2, with the Kings down 1-0, Wells went ballistic, earning himself 28 points and 12 rebounds (from the two-guard spot) as the Kings lost a heartbreaker on a lucky Brent Barry bounce. In Game 3 in Sactown, Bonzi went for 19 and 14 ... including 10 offensive rebounds, just annoying Duncan and Nesterovic to no end. Kings win (on the most magical shot you ever did see). In Game 4, he offers 25 and 17! Kings win. In Game 5 -- the real crux of the series, the game in which San Antonio can either retake control or the Kings can topple the despot -- Bonzi again goes ballistic, dropping 38 points with 12 rebounds. But the Spurs win, the delusions disappear, and Bonzi puts up a mild 17/11 in the deciding Game 6 blowout. That would be an average of 23 points and 12 rebounds, by a two-guard, against the Spurs, over six games.

Bonzi then turns down a $38 million contract in order to take a $4 million flyer from Houston, sends Jeff Van Gundy a 'Dear John' text message from a Seattle hotel room, and sets himself on fire.

The Phoenix is back, though! Bonzi's no longer a 40-minute type fellow; he received a ration of 18 minutes from Byron Scott last night (against the Spurs). He made the most of them, scoring 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting and pulling in more rebounds (4) than Tim Duncan took in (3) over 37 minutes. Is it something about the Spurs? Is it something about the playoffs? Is it something about Peja-on-a-Stick? I don't know, and I don't care. Bonzi's back, baby, and I couldn't be happier.